Thailand condemns use of force in Myanmar

Bangkok, Sep 28 (UNI) Thailand Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has condemned the use of force against protesting monks and citizens in Myanmar, saying it was ''unacceptable''.

''As a neighbouring country sharing a land border of more than 2,400 km and currently housing more than a million Myanmar citizens, Thailand is gravely concerned with what we are seeing and hearing in Myanmar,'' Mr Surayud said, while addressing the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York late last night.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release here today said the Thai government reminded the world body that as a predominantly Buddhist nations, both Thailand and Myanmar ''share in the beliefs of non-violence and tolerance''.

''Thailand, therefore, finds as unacceptable the commission of violence and bodily harm to Buddhist monks and other demonstrators in Yangon,'' Mr Surayud told the UN.

In his speech, the Thai prime minister also referred to yesterday's meeting at UN headquarters among all 10 foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes Myanmar.

''ASEAN expressed revulsion over reports that the demonstrations in Myanmar are being suppressed by violent force and that there has been a number of fatalities,'' the Thai prime minister said, quoting from the statement issued by the ASEAN foreign ministers after their meeting.

He pointed out that ASEAN has urged the military rulers of Myanmar to engage in a dialogue with all parties concerned, free all political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi and cooperate in all possible way with the UN Secretary-General's special envoy who is on his way to Myanmar.